Historically Speaking The Newsletter of the Cobourg and District Historical Society May 2021 ― Issue 323 The History of the ACO and Why it Matters On May 25 Diane Chin will be telling the story of the founding of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) organization and its relationship to Barnum House in Grafton including the history of Barnum House itself. While putting this presentation together she came across a mystery yet to be solved about the founding of the Cobourg Branch of ACO. Perhaps one of the attendees can shed light on what happened to one of Cobourg’s oldest buildings and more importantly to the person who organized this building’s move. Our speaker will also touch on legislative aspects of Heritage Conservation and the many recent threats that are now upon us. And you thought COVID was our only problem! Diane Chin moved to Cobourg in 2013. She grew up in the Beaches in Toronto so an eastward move to another lakeside community, populated by historic heritage homes was a natural fit. Diane is a former high school teacher, school librarian, principal and real estate agent. She also spent many summers working for the Ontario Government including one working as a Park Naturalist at Presqu’ile. Currently, Diane is also on the Executive of the Victoria Hall Volunteers and is our Program Director. She is also a member of the Cobourg Horticultural Society, the Canadian Federation of University Women and the Willow Beach Field Naturalists. Diane is currently the Vice-Chair of ACO Ontario. All CDHS members are invited to join us electronically on Tuesday, May 25 at 07:30 PM. Please register in advance by visiting: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_v4sES6soS9WvuVjHQET83g After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any questions concerning registration, please contact Brian Murphy, Membership Chair, at [email protected] We look forward to you joining our upcoming CDHS webinar! After Meeting Social When the virtual meeting finishes don’t change the channel but stay around for some fun! After each meeting we will open the Zoom webinar to everyone for a “social”. You will be able to see all participants who have their camera enabled. If you have a microphone, you can ask the speaker questions one-on-one, chat with the crowd and generally do what we usually do at a physical meeting. Our Previous Meeting The Wreck of the HMS Speedy Dan Buchanan spoke about his new book, The Wreck of the HMS Speedy - The Tragedy That Shook Upper Canada. In his presentation, Dan highlighted how one goes about making a history book and accomplishing the tremendous amount of research that went into the telling of this story, well documented in the appendices, notes and bibliography. Naturally, the story of the Speedy was recounted. It might be said that what is more fascinating, at least to some readers, is the contextual facts of life in the early 1800s, a mere 200 years ago, in the Districts of Newcastle containing the fledgling community of Deans Creek (Cobourg) and the Home District in which is found muddy York (Toronto). 2 During the “social” following our April meeting it was mentioned that, in addition to HMS Speedy, many other ships have sunk in Lake Ontario. The initial story of a Coburg sinking can be read at https://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/3756903--a-gentleman-s-gentleman-/ The Northumberland News published a follow-up article almost 12 years later on January 15, 2014. Boat sank off Cobourg shore in July 2002 COBOURG -- Looking out into the cold waters He said he’s been in contact with a of Lake Ontario, Paul Marshall can’t help but professional diver who has volunteered to wonder how his dad’s sailboat sank almost help find the boat. 12 years ago. Mr. Marshall said that with modern technol- During the evening of July 17, 2002, Bob ogy available to divers, he believes, “we will Marshall and Peter Smith set off from one day find the wreck.” Cobourg’s harbour in Mr. Marshall’s Philip He is offering $1,000 to anyone who helps Rhodes 36-foot wooden sloop, but the two locate his father’s missing boat, which had men never returned. The boat sank and a the name ‘CASAWOPI’ painted across its CFB Trenton search and rescue team found stern. the bodies of Paul Marshall’s father and Mr. Smith early the next morning, five miles Although he believes he’ll one day find the offshore between Cobourg and Port Hope. boat, Mr. Marshall is not so sure modern technology can determine what caused his “I think about my dad every day. I want to father’s boat to sink. know what happened,” Mr. Marshall said. “The boat is out there, taunting me.” “I’ve always thought in my mind, (the boat) popped a plank somehow,” he said. “I am Mr. Marshall said he was told by the confident I’ll find the boat. It might take Canadian Coast Guard at the time, the water awhile, but we’ll find it.” that night in July was 18ºC and both men, who were found wearing lifejackets, died And even though his father’s boat had a from hypothermia. radio, no distress call was made. Mr. Marshall said if his father’s boat popped a While some boat debris was found with the plank, there would have been just seconds to men’s bodies, the elder Mr. Marshall’s boat radio for help. He said radios and cellphones was never recovered. are not enough help in an emergency. “The coastguard people tell me the boat’s “Even in the middle of summer, in the middle location is unknown and the water is so of the lake, you don’t get much time to act (in deep, divers may not get down far enough to an emergency). Don’t go cruising unless you recover it,” OPP Constable Holly Maxwell told have a dingy and keep a life vest on deck at Northumberland News at the time. all times,” he said. “If my dad had a dingy Mr. Marshall was told by the OPP he could with his boat, he might be alive today.” look for the boat, but if it was found, to leave it untouched, “for forensic reasons,” he said. 3 Another Mystery Uncovered Carla Jones For several years, before CDHS was on-line with our own website, the historical society published an annual Historical Review that outlined the programme events for that year. In the Historical Review #3 - 1983-1984, on page 54, I read the following: After my searching on-line produced negative results, I asked Ken and Leona if they knew where this plaque erected by the CDHS in 1984, could be located. Had they ever seen it? Former Cobourg Mayor, Peter Delanty (a member of CDHS) advised that there were two plaques at the Marina. One plaque was dedicated to the sailing vessel “The Countess of Dufferin” which launched in Cobourg and competed in the sailing race for the American Cup. It is located at the east end of the marina at Division Street. 4 Years of neglect have not been kind to the “Countess of Duf- ferin” plaque. Currently the plaque is mostly illegible and, from a cursory inspection, may be beyond repair. The second plaque is located by the gas and pump-out station as you walk out to the centre pier. It speaks to the beginning of Cobourg and its early success as a sea trading hub on Lake Ontario. 5 The Cobourg Harbour plaque is of a different design using cast letters. It is still in excellent condition even after enduring 35 years outside in the worst of Cobourg weather. Thank you, Leona, for thinking to contact Peter and to Ken for taking the images of the plaques. When you’re out and about taking in the fresh air, stop and have a look for the plaques. Their condition doesn’t reflect well on the CDHS and we will certainly discuss at our next Executive meeting. Thoughts regarding repairs are welcomed. 6 Member Matters AGM Dear CDHS Member, As you know, we are holding our Annual General Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You will receive three reports (Programme, Membership, President) in advance, for you to review. If you have any questions about this material please contact Carla Jones at [email protected]. Would you be interested in joining us on the CDHS Executive? Due to retirements and changes in commitments the positions of Secretary and Publicity Chair are open. Short descriptions of duties are: Secretary: Publicity Chair: The Secretary records and archives the Responsible for posting events and minutes and records the results of votes at updates of the society's events on all each meeting of the Board of Directors and pertinent social media sites such as informs Board members of upcoming Facebook and local on-line papers. meetings. If you are interested in either of these positions, please contact Randy Barber who is the Nominating Committee Chair. He can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (905) 377-9421 Would you be interested in joining our Programme Committee? The more ideas the better. Even if you do not join the committee your ideas are welcome via email or if you wish to meet as part of the Programme committee, let us know. There is no commitment to be part of the Executive. We look forward to a Zoom AGM with you, followed by our May presentation.